Heartland Express (Nasdaq: HTLD) reported earnings on Jan. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Heartland Express met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew and GAAP earnings per share dropped significantly.

Gross margins contracted, operating margins grew, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
 Heartland Express tallied revenue of $136.2 million. The 12 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw sales of $135.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $131.2 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at $0.17. The 16 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.16 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.17 for Q4 were 15% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.20 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 32.2%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.0%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.5%, 250 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $137.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.17.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $565.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.76.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 77 members out of 85 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 27 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 25 give Heartland Express a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Heartland Express is hold, with an average price target of $14.25.

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